HMRC warns about fake tax credits emails

HMRC has warned people to watch out for scam emails promising tax credit refunds.

As a major advertising campaign launches to remind people to renew their tax credits, fraudsters are gearing up for a major email assault.

Nearly 22,000 scam tax credit emails were reported to HMRC during last year's renewal period from April to July.

Although the tax authorities worked with other bodies to shut down 147 scam websites, more kept being created. These websites were set up in countries far and wide including Austria, Mexico, South Korea, the USA, Thailand, and Japan, as well as here in the UK.

The scam
These emails usually promise a tax credit refund. The recipient is then directed to a fake version of the HMRC website and asked to submit their personal details, including bank account information.

Here's an example of one we received.

As you can see, it looks fairly genuine and includes the HMRC logo.

HMRC is reminding people that it never asks for personal or payment information via email.